HUNTINGTON BEACH : Dishno Is Rehired as City’s School Chief

Duane Dishno, who formerly spent a decade as a principal and administrator in the Huntington Beach City School District, was hired back Monday as the district’s new superintendent.

The school board voted unanimously to appoint Dishno, now superintendent of the Bonita Unified School District in La Verne, to the top school post.

Dishno, 49, will take over July 1 from interim Supt. Gary Burgner, who assumed the job temporarily after Diana Peters resigned in August. Burgner will return to his regular job as assistant superintendent for business services.

Before Monday’s meeting, the district and Dishno agreed on terms of his three-year contract. He will receive a starting annual salary of $85,750. Peters was receiving $78,492 a year when the district bought out the three-year balance of her contract for $144,972.

Peters’ controversial departure was prompted by a rift with the board. District officials since have been working to improve relations with employee unions, parents and others in the district, many of whom criticized Peters’ administrative style as too furtive.

Board members have praised Dishno as a skilled administrator with a personable disposition, which they say continues a trend in the district toward openness.

Dishno, a Westminster resident, began his education career in 1962 as a teacher in Westminster. He later moved into administration, before becoming a Huntington Beach principal in 1975.

In 1982, he became assistant superintendent, and two years later superintendent of schools in El Monte. He has been the Bonita Unified School District’s chief administrator since 1988.